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Hi I'm Lydia Stevenson (Gigli)

I create photo images, embroider, am community minded, have three clever children, & live in London's East End. I am a Mormon.

About Me

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I'm was born in South London, England of mixed British, Italian, Jewish, Catholic family. Raised by my mum who was divorced. At school my religious education teacher challenged our class to write a religious essay & virtually the whole class chose 'Mormons' because of the fame of the “Osmonds” (I went to a girls school in 1974) . One of my friends brought in a book of Mormon. She became instantly popular, curiosity got me & I wanted to know what all the fuss was.
I told mum “I would love to have a book of Mormon" & that I was doing this project for school. That week, Elders came to our house. She asked them for the book, I was so happy when she told me they had left it. I think my reaction intrigued her.
We read the scriptures, attended church, kept the commandments & accepted a baptismal date when my older brother told us of all the reasons why we shouldn't be baptized. The next visit by the missionaries we gave them the bad news they were visibly upset, I mean you could see it, one even cried.
After a few days mum asked me what she should do. She said 'We can't get baptized' I asked her 'Mummy have you read the Book of Mormon?' she replied she had & then I asked 'Is it true?', 'yes' she replied. 'Then we should get baptized' I said and we were. You see I trusted my mother and she trusted me.
I now testify though to the power of a book which I have read many times since & it has had a powerful influence on my life for good and brought me much happiness.

Why I am a Mormon

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My reason for being a member of the church has changed over the years.
When I was a teenager I joined and was a member because I loved my mum and I knew that she knew the church was true. She knew that the Book of Mormon was the word of God and we were baptized.
When I became a seminary student I learned more about the church and I was a Mormon because the gospel taught me so much about the Saviour and I loved having a living prophet to guide me and priesthood holders who were there to help me and my mum as she was a single parent.
When I was a missionary I was a Mormon because I loved the opportunity to share the gospel message.
Today I am in my fifties, and was recently called to teach the youth in the church Seminary program and I love my students. I am an empty-nest-er that has had her nest filled with seminary students. I am a member of this church because I see the Lord's hand in my life. I am a member missionary and I am a Mormon.

How I live my faith

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Since leaving my job in 2008 I've been sick so I stay at home and I support my brother who care's for my mother in law and am a carer for my father they are both almost ninety. from 2006 to 2012 I served as a Ward Missionary, I have had many church responsibilities till recently I now work I worked in the church nursery. I love the scriptures and I'm creative I take my thoughts and impressions from conference, personal study, church experiences and change them into drawings, photographs, doodles, and embroidery and put these up on Facebook or give them as gifts. I've made a helps page on Facebook for other nursery leaders: You should check it out... I have loads of video's and primary activities that are fun. https://www.facebook.com/LdsNurseryLeader?ref=ts&fref=ts

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Lydia Stevenson (Gigli)

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We believe that when we are born we become subject to two deaths. Spiritual death and physical death. Each time I sin or have sinned an irreconcilable barrier between me and Heaven broadens and is known as spiritual death. My birth into this body means that I also inherit a future without salvation because I will also physically die http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/8#8.
Yet I was placed here to return home to Heaven perfected. Christ the Messiah's atonement blots out or covers our sins with his goodness, perfect example, and His perfect sacrifice when He suffered for all of as collectively and each of us individually.
His atonement fully complies too and fills the Law of Moses. He became the perfect lamb and we are the sin offering as remembered each Pass over. His example is paramount to us all and each of us as individuals.
Collectively we will all be resurrected but individually we will have to follow the Saviour in all his commandments, ordinances, and daily walk in order to have his grace or atonement change us to be like Him physically with a resurrected body, and in character like him having followed his example, teachings, ordinances and repenting of sins.
This is what is meant "to be reconciled with God; for by grace we are saved after all we can do" http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/25/23#23Show moreShow less

What is a “testimony” that Mormons speak of?

Lydia Stevenson (Gigli)

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By keeping God's commandments studying the scriptures we can ask Heavenly Father if these things are right. If we don't know that there is a God we can test his commandments and ask him to let him know that he is there to us. You can't pray one thing and live another and you can't ask one thing in your head but not sincerely be seeking that answer. That would bit sneaky wouldn't it?
Heavenly Father answers us through the still small whisperings of the Holy Ghost, and these feelings are always good and never scary. Only good things come from a loving Heavenly Father.
So when a member of the church is talking about his or her testimony they are talking about their personal revelation from Heaven after living and testing and trying their faith.
I have a testimony and you have read some of it but it is a living thing and it needs nurturing and caring or it will go away.
Once a month we have a 'Testimony Meeting' at church to give people the opportunity to share these feelings with the rest of the congregation. Testimonies are meant to be shared and grow in the sharing.
I am a Local Missionary part time not full time and serve in London where I live. I love this responsibility as it gives me the opportunity to share my testimony every day. I also train other local missionaries helping them to teach the gospel we often share our testimonies together too.
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Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Lydia Stevenson (Gigli)

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No we don't worship Joseph Smith, we worship our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ. The proper title of the Church is: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I'm personally grateful to Joseph Smith who I believe was the way that Heavenly Father and Jesus used to return The Gospel and priesthood authority to the earth in his role as a prophet in modern times. Joseph Smith lived and died so for his love of the Saviour and Heavenly Father and he taught us to pray and worship them.Show moreShow less

Is it true that Jesus appeared in North America after his crucifixion and resurrection according to the Book of Mormon?

Lydia Stevenson (Gigli)

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Yes that is recorded as a testimony in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Through it I learned that Jesus Christ loves all his children where ever they are. The account in this book is very important to me. I have studied the words of the resurrected Lord in the New testament. In acts when the Saviour appears to his apostles and followers he ministered for forty days yet is given just eight verses. In the Book of Mormon The Christ's visit is given nineteen chapters. Predominantly these are teachings that would seem to be lost from any other currently held book of scripture. These chapters can be found in Third Nephi chapters eleven through to thirty.Show moreShow less

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Lydia Stevenson (Gigli)

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The Temple is like the Lord's university, it would be lovely for everyone to have a university education wouldn't it? In them we learn about Heavenly Father's plan for his children, participate in sacred ordinances for ourselves and offer these same ordinances by vicarious work for our beloved ancestors. Now to do this may sound very different to what your used too. This practice was in the ancient church and was restored in our time http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/29#29 . For a living person to go to the temple they have to prepare to enter it by exorcising Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy ghost and continued obedience to the commandments of God. As with all universities the applicant then has to be interviewed twice by their local priesthood officers. There are 100 operating temples in the world and more are being built. This work is to offer every one on the earth and those that have gone the opportunity to benefit from the atonement of Christ. Even those who have died without ever knowing him. The Temple always reminds me of the Saviour and his love and sacrifice is not limited by man's understanding.Show moreShow less